Petrol bombs were thrown Sunday at the British embassy in Tehran as the row over 15 captured sailors and marines escalated. According to witnesses, there had been several, small blasts and smoke could be seen rising in the compound.
Between 150 and 200 people massed at the embassy, with some throwing rocks as well as home-made bombs. The demonstrators - mainly students - breached the compound. There were no reports of injuries.
On Saturday, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said "arrogant powers" of the world which should apologize and feel ashamed for the illegal entry of the British sailors into Iranian territorial waters, issue statements and resort to giving lectures instead.
Speaking to a group of people in the southern town of Andimeshk, the president said, "The British occupying forces have entered into our waters and our border guards have arrested them courageously. However, the arrogant powers, because of their arrogance and egoistic mentality, do not apologize to the Iranians rather act as if we owe them something."
On his part, US president George Bush condemned Iran's "inexcusable behaviour" in taking the service personnel.
He said he strongly supported the British government's efforts to resolve the stand-off peacefully - and insisted the "innocent hostages" be released immediately.
Speaking at his Camp David retreat in Maryland, the US leader rejected suggestions that Iranians held in Iraq be freed in return for the release of the Britons. He said: "Iran must give back the hostages. They're innocent, they did nothing wrong and they were summarily plucked out of the water."
